98-25028. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 50492-50493]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-25028]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 98-NM-61-AD; Amendment 39-10777; AD 98-20-10]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
    Series Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
    applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
    airplanes, that requires relocation of the engine/master 1 relay from 
    relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the avionics bay. This amendment is 
    prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
    by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by 
    this AD are intended to prevent a simultaneous cutoff of the fuel 
    supply to both engines, which could result in a loss of engine power 
    and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
    
    DATES: Effective October 27, 1998.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of October 27, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
    obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
    Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal 
    Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
    Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
    the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
    Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
    International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
    1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
    227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
    directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, 
    and A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 
    12, 1998 (63 FR 26107). That action proposed to require relocation of 
    the engine/master 1 relay from relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the 
    avionics bay.
    
    Comments Received
    
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
    the comments received.
        Three commenters support the proposed rule.
    
    Requests to Reference Latest Airbus Service Bulletin
    
        Two commenters request that paragraph (a) of the proposed AD be 
    revised to reference Revision 02 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-
    1092, dated March 9, 1998. However, one of these commenters requests 
    that the FAA cite only Revision 02 as the appropriate source of service 
    information for accomplishment of the proposed relocation, rather than 
    citing the original version or Revision 01 of the service bulletin as 
    proposed in the NPRM. This commenter states that the relocation cannot 
    be accomplished in accordance with the original version or Revision 01 
    of the referenced service bulletin, but provides no additional 
    information regarding errors in these revisions.
        The FAA concurs with the commenters' request to reference Revision 
    02 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-23-1092, dated March 9, 1998, in the 
    final rule as an additional source of service information for 
    accomplishment of the relocation. However, the FAA does not concur with 
    the one commenter's request to cite only Revision 02 of the subject 
    service bulletin. The FAA points out that Revision 02 of the service 
    bulletin states that no further work is necessary on airplanes modified 
    in accordance with the original version or Revision 01 of the service 
    bulletin. In addition, the FAA has reviewed Revision 02 of the subject 
    service bulletin and finds that the relocation procedures are identical 
    to those described in the original version and Revision 01 of the 
    subject service bulletin. The only relevant
    
    [[Page 50493]]
    
    change is to the work hour estimate, which has been increased from 16 
    work hours to 61 work hours per airplane. Therefore, the FAA has 
    revised paragraph (a) and the cost impact information of the final rule 
    accordingly.
    
    Conclusion
    
        After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
    noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
    interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
    previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
    increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
    the AD.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 120 Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
    airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
    take approximately 61 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
    required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
    Required parts will cost approximately $209 or $961 per airplane, 
    depending on the service kit purchased. Based on these figures, the 
    cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be as low as 
    $3,869 per airplane, or as high as $4,621 per airplane.
        The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
    no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
    action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
    future if this AD were not adopted.
    
    Regulatory Impact
    
        The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
    effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
    government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
    responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
    accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
    rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
    preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
    not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
    (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
    Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
    significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
    number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
    and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
    from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
    ADDRESSES.
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
    
        Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
    reference, Safety.
    
    Adoption of the Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
    the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
    
    PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    98-20-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10777. Docket 98-NM-61-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; on 
    which Airbus Modification 26065 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin 
    A320-24-1092, Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997) has not been 
    accomplished; certificated in any category.
    
        Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
    preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
    otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
    requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
    altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
    this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
    alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
    this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
    the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
    addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
    eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
    address it.
    
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent a simultaneous cutoff of the fuel supply to both 
    engines, which could result in a loss of engine power and consequent 
    reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
        (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
    relocate the engine/master 1 relay (11QG) from relay box 103VU to 
    shelf 95VU in the avionics bay, in accordance with Airbus Service 
    Bulletin A320-24-1092, dated March 26, 1997; Revision 01, dated 
    December 24, 1997; or Revision 02, dated March 9, 1998.
        (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
    used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
    Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
    requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
    who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
    Branch, ANM-116.
    
        Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
    
        (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
    sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
    CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
    the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
        (d) The relocation shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
    Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, dated March 26, 1997; Airbus Service 
    Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997; or 
    Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 02, dated March 9, 
    1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
    of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
    part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point 
    Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be 
    inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
    Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
    Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    
        Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
    airworthiness directive 97-360-111(B), dated November 19, 1997.
    
        (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1998.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 1998.
    Dorenda D. Baker,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-25028 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/27/1998
Published:
09/22/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-25028
Dates:
Effective October 27, 1998.
Pages:
50492-50493 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 98-NM-61-AD, Amendment 39-10777, AD 98-20-10
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-25028.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13